Thousands of Mancs see my murals at train stations every day but don't realise the special meaning behind them

“Railway stations are a great ‘platform’ for my work,” believes Dez, an artist from Middleton. The self-taught artist, who has autism, is using his artwork at North West train stations to inspire other neurodivergent people in the region. 

Also known by his artist name LoveArtPix, Dez has pieces of his work at train stations in Manchester, Blackpool and up in Cumbria. Manchester Oxford Road was the site of his first work, and this was unveiled in June 2020.

In May 2021, his work featured at Victoria station for the first time. This was as part of Northern Train’s four-year anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing.  

It is at Victoria where two of Dez’s biggest works of art can be found. One of these is a scene of Manchester’s iconic skyline, whilst the other is a yellow tribute to the station itself and welcomes passengers on a footbridge that connects platforms. 

Speaking as part of an event to mark Autism Awareness Month (which is April), Dez said: “Not everyone will find themselves in an art gallery or exhibition hall, but millions of people pass through train stations every year as they go about their daily lives – and it is in these everyday moments that, I believe, you can really inspire someone. I find creating artwork a great way to focus and my message is always one of positivity – to encourage people to keep going, stay focussed, don’t be deterred and never stop asking questions!”

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “Dez is an incredible guy and a real inspiration. Over several years now, we’ve been able to develop our partnership with him and showcase his work as well as the meaning behind it to millions of customers passing through our stations. His is an important message and we’re happy to support it.”